Lime Wood

Lime Wood – Hartnett Holder & Co

Overview

Set deep in the New Forest National Park, Hampshire, Lime Wood is a country house hotel celebrated for its blend of rural tranquility, contemporary luxury, and destination dining. Centred around a regency manor just outside Lyndhurst, the property channels a grown-up yet unstuffy atmosphere—perfect for food-loving couples or friends hunting a memorable gourmet retreat less than two hours from central London. The centrepiece is Hartnett Holder & Co, the acclaimed restaurant partnership between Angela Hartnett and Luke Holder, which draws a discerning crowd year-round.

Eat

Hartnett Holder & Co delivers a dining experience that balances Italian-influenced refinement with approachable comfort. Chefs Angela Hartnett and Luke Holder harmonise classic British and Tuscan sensibilities, with a passionate emphasis on seasonal Hampshire produce and foraged New Forest ingredients. Expect hand-rolled pastas, wood-roasted meat, and produce-driven starters—creations like Burrata with green strawberries and peas, Cornish native lobster linguini, or melting gnocchi with duck ragù have graced the menu. The kitchen’s signature focaccia has its own fanbase, and the set lunch menu offers exceptional value. Open for lunch and dinner, the dining room is warm and gently bustling, imbued with an inviting, lived-in charm. Hartnett Holder & Co currently holds 3 AA Rosettes and is recommended in the Michelin Guide, a testament to its consistent culinary polish without fuss or frippery.

Sleep

Accommodation at Lime Wood spans a variety of individually designed rooms, suites, and forest lodges. Interiors by Susie Atkinson celebrate a modern country aesthetic: muted botanicals, plush upholstery, deep copper baths, and stone fireplaces. Light pours in through sash windows framing forest or garden views, setting the tone for restorative unwinding after a long lunch or spa session. Many rooms feature private terraces or freestanding tubs, with walks on your doorstep. Every detail—right down to crisp linens and thoughtful amenities—reflects a relaxed, spoiling approach that will appeal to style-seekers and comfort-lovers alike.

Retreat

The Herb House spa is a destination in its own right, with indoor and outdoor pools, forest saunas, and holistic treatments that draw on the natural bounty of the New Forest. Guests are invited to swim, steam, book a therapy, or simply read under a blanket on the rooftop terrace. There’s bike hire, wild walks, and wildlife spotting in the national park—Lyndhurst village is only 1.5 miles away, while Beaulieu and Brockenhurst are a short drive for gardens, galleries, and tempting farm shops. By car, Lime Wood is about 20 minutes from Southampton or 90 minutes from west London. Whether you choose to linger over a long dinner, lose yourself in the spa, or roam the ancient woodland, Lime Wood makes a superb base for a relaxed but indulgent weekend away.